Nixon proposes location shift for juvenile facility

JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Jay Nixon is proposing to close down part of a juvenile facility in southwestern Missouri and move 10 beds from there to another institution.

The cut is a small example of changes that could come to state government under Nixon's proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts in July.

Youths in the secure unit at the Mount Vernon facility would be moved to a moderate-security facility about 100 miles north in Rich Hill. Nixon's budget anticipates the move would save about $350,000 and allow the state to cut two positions.

Nixon's budget director, Linda Luebbering, said Thursday that the juveniles in the secure unit don't require its higher security. Luebbering said moving them to Rich Hill would allow the state to pick up additional federal money.